Common Goldstar is a low, tufted, grass-like plant that grows from a hard corm. The corm is hard and hairy. It is found growing in open woodlands, abandoned fields, lawns, prairies, and other open areas. Although not an aggressive plant, it can spread to form colonies. Its close resemblance to grass is only distinguishable when the plant is in bloom. Flowers appear on stems that are shorter than the leaves. Carpenter bees, Mason bees, and Halictid bees are attracted to the blooms. Some flies and beetles feed on the pollen. Small rodents may eat the corms. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: The seeds are tiny, which makes them difficult to collect. Spreading into lawns can be an issue. More information on Hypoxis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 7 in. | Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
12" tall hairy, narrow grasslike leaves that originate from the base of the plant. The leaves are linear or linear-elliptic in shape and have scattered white hairs.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A loose cluster of yellow one to three star-shaped flower buds. The 3/4" flowers bloom with six, pointed petals. Bloom from March to June. The center contains a yellow pistil surrounded by 6 stamens with yellow anthers.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Rounded capsules display from May to July. Glossy, black seeds are emitted when the capsules open. The seeds are covered with rows of projections that resemble warts.
Stem detail
The 8" stems can be erect or reclining. Each stem will end in a loose umbel of 1 or 2 flowers.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
US native
Distribution
AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Wildlife value
Attracts bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and other pollinators.